Daddy brought me to School !!!

I mentioned in my previous post that Gabz has been attending playschool once a week right ? Well, it still runs up to March. I was the one who always brought her to school every Friday, but then the other day, her Dad told me that he wanted to bring Gabz to school. Oh, I was little bit surprised and happy of course. He always apologized to Gabz for not seeing her to school, he used to say "What kind of Dad I am, I don't even see you in school ?".

So, last Friday, he took a time off from work just to bring Gabz to school. He is just soo sweet, I was touched, at this early stage of Gabz life he wanted to be part of everything. No matter has small it is.

Remembering my childhood life, my father never did bring me to school nor attended any event in school, it has always been my mother. I am not saying that my Father is irresponsible or anything like that. If I will be given a chance to choose again, he will be my father at the very end. I love him so much. I think, that every father has their own reasons when it comes to their kids upbringing, or sometimes life or factors in life does not give them a chance to do things they wanted to do.

But I am proud to those Dad who is very much involved in their kids life. As a mother, my heart just burst with emotion. I salute you !

Marie Antoinette Award

This award was given to me by Eva of Allaboutevamee. Very sweet lady who never forgets to give me an award from time to time.

Queen Marie Antoinette, is the epitome of real, fun, fearless woman who is never afraid of getting what she wants. She became Queen of France and Navarre.

Now, it's my turn to give this award to my new found friends in this world of blogging. I have chosen only three people this time.

To Dhemz who is a fun and loving person, who is not afraid to show her real self.
Shydub of simplehappylife, a fearless young woman who live life far away from home.
Phoebe of thebabyinbetween, a strong woman and a young mom.

Good luck !

My First Doctors Visit

I had my first prenatal visit with the doctor yesterday at 10 weeks of my pregnancy. It was like a decade since I first did it with Gabz, almost forgot how did it goes. For those who are planning to get pregnant or have just found out they are pregnant, these are the things you will expect when visiting your doctor for the first time.

First and foremost make sure to bring your insurance card and identification.

They will do a routine check up by getting your weight, and blood pressure.

Then the doctor will asked when was your last menstrual cycle to determine your due date.

Doctor will discuss your medical history, any complications, allergies, etc.

Will discuss procedure on how your next visit be like and your relationship for the rest of your pregnancy.

This is the best time to ask questions on symptoms, vitamins, best exercise, food intake, weight gain, medications. It is best if you could take down any questions you have prior to your appointment just to make sure you covered everything you wanted to asked.

Doctor will asked you to strip down. She will perform, breast exam, pelvic exam and pap smear.

She could do ultrasound as well to take a look at the condition of the baby and listen to the heart beat. Sometimes they give you a copy of the ultrasound for your record.

The last but not the least is they will send you to the lab for some blood test, usually you are good to go after that.

Before you step out of that door, it would be very convenient to set up the next series of your prenatal visit. Advantage of that are; you choose the time and sometimes the date, and the hassle of calling and setting up appointment every month.

Hope this simple steps helps you anticipate what to expect on your first doctors visit. The most exciting part of this visit is that; the doctor could officially confirmed your pregnancy, and seeing and listening to your baby for the first time is the most moving moment !

Thirty more weeks to go for me!!!

Bedtime Story...sometimes not even bedtime !

Kids most of the time surprised you of what they can and cannot do. One day they love books, the next day they love to paint and the day after they love to play computer or they just sit tight in front of the TV. But you will always be amazed on what they learn everyday, and the knowledge they get from what they hear, read and watched.

Gabz used to love books, that is why she has so much books and used to go to libraries. Then one day, it just stop. She started to forget all about her books and starts playing computer games. Then when I enrolled her in playschool (she has once a week class), she started to love books again !! (that really makes me happy :-) ) You see, they have story time in school and she enjoy listening to stories with other kids. From then on, she would asked me to read her bedtime stories every nap and night time. Sometimes even when she just woke up..she would asked me; "Mommy it's bedtime story !" LOL.

These are some of her favorite books to read during bedtime. The Very Hungry Caterpillar was given to her when she was just a baby. But her most fav one is the Princess book. You could read all the books but would never forget the Princess story.

I am just so happy that Gabz love for books came back. I just hope that she would eventually love it for the rest of her life. As a book lover myself, I know that kids and people learns a lot from books and knowledge we got from books is one thing that could never be borrowed nor stolen from us. You just have the privileged to share it with others.

Happy reading everyone !

Great Time with Friends !

We had a fantastic, cool, groovy and terrific Valentines party last night with our Filipino friends here in Bellevue. It was Maricel's birthday too and their 9th year wedding Anniversary ( Eric and Maricel)... so much things to celebrate in one occasion. Part of Filipino tradition in every party is FOOD..FOOD...AND SO MUCH FOOD !!! We have pot roast, roasted beef, musubi rolls, relyenong bangus, siomai and a lot more. We even have chocolate fountain ! and thanks to Maricel for cooking my request...banana turon with ice cream !! Sooo yummy, thanks Cel. I even brought home some.

Our party even had a theme, everybody has to wear red, white or pink !!! Eric gave all the ladies a red fancy necklace as soon as we arrived to match the look !

We even had a game with matching prices, our own version of Newly Wed Game ! It was really fun...each couple has to answer 12 questions and check if the couples answer match each other. And we won the game !!! LOL. That game was really good, because it helps us know our partners more at the same time we learn personal details about our friends too. It helps us know each other more !

Eric took a picture of each families. It took him awhile to take our picture because Gabz is soo makulit. She could not stay still for a minute, and was taking a picture of Eric too with her toy camera. Oh men !

Well, the party come to an end at the crack of dawn (as usual). Our friend Donnie does not even know what was happening anymore, not even how he was able to went to bed ! Oh Donnie...poor Mel ! I guess its the effect of 10 bottles of red and white wine they had. Everybody had fun though as always ! I'm sure everybody was soo tired today and are trying to get a good long nap !! I got mine for two good hours !

Happy Love Day !

True love is eternal, infinite, and always like itself. It is equal and pure, without violent demonstrations: it is seen with white hairs and is always young in the heart.
--Honore de Balzac

I specifically choose this quote, because it greatly defines what I have read yesterday. It was a book by James Patterson "Sam's letter to Jennifer". This is basically the story of Jennifer and Sam, her grandmother, her best friend. Despite of all the tragedy in life, they still manage to find love, fight for it and live happily ever after.

What touches me most is not the story of Jennifer, but the life and love story of Sam. Sam told her grand daughter the deepest secrets of her life through the letters she wrote, which Jennifer found only when Sam was ill and in coma. These secrets has never been known and told to anyone, until now. Sam, wrote how she lived a double life in her entire marriage life. How she found true love in the most unexpected ways. How much she yearns for that person and yet the devotion and responsibilities to her family compels her to her happiness. Yet, being patience all through the years and keeping the love she has for her true love, makes her life meaningful despite of old age.

When situation allows they were able to get married, secretly though to avoid the gossip monger, since they defies the norm of the society. Their happiness were beyond words, knowing that they now belong to one another. They live their normal life knowing in their hearts that one special person is just there anytime they need each other.

I guess love always comes unexpectedly and all through the years this feelings becomes stronger each passing day. It is eternal and infinite, and as you grow old love blossoms.

Happy Valentines Day to all !

To my ever loving husband, Happy Love Day Daddy !

I Love you with all my heart, and this feelings goes stronger each passing day. I dream of loving you until the day when our hair turns to gray, when you hold my hand as we walk along the beach, as we watch our children and grand children play in the park. I will love you and take good care of you from the moment I say I do 'till the moment I close my eyes. I will love you eternally !

When do you start saying NO to your kids ?

The other day while going shopping at IKEA Gabz spotted a pony toy. She picked it up and asked if she could play with it. I then told her that she could play with it but we are not going to buy it, and she said yes. All through out our shopping she was happy playing with the toy. When we reached the counter to pay for all the stuff I wanted to purchased, she told me that she wanted to get the little pony. I told her NO, because we previously agreed that she could play with it, but we are not going to buy it. Then out of the blue she cried so hard and was very upset. I tried to be patient and talk to her very gently about our previous agreement. I could see that she was listening, but having trouble giving up the toy.

Suddenly, a woman approached us (who is on front of us in the counter line) and asked if Gabz is crying because she is tired. I told her that she is upset because of the toy. While talking to Gabz, these people in front of us keep on looking as if they wanted to buy the toy themselves just to appeased her.

She was really so upset, that even her Dad was already asking is how much is that damn toy. I told him I don't know because I don't have any plans in buying at all. I wanted to let Gabz know and understand that not all the things she wanted, she could have it. She has to learn that when we say NO, it has to be NO, and whatever she has agreed she has to stick to it.

I know she is just a kid and I love her so much. I want to give her everything that makes her happy, but all things has its own limitations for her own good someday.

I know this is a very common scenario to all parents out there. Sometimes it is quite difficult to stick to your own rules, but kids are very smart. Once they know that they could get what they want by being upset or giving tantrums, they would always do it every time they want something.

Teaching kids proper behaviour or discipline is tough. Sometimes you do not know when you should give in or be firm with them. Because at the end of the day, you does not want your kids to be defiant nor lenient. Every parents dreams is to have their kids grow up and be a good person with proper values and good behaviour.

First Day in PlaySchool...

It's enrollment time !!! It is so funny that we will be part of this process this year. Can you imagine that Gabz will be entering preschool this coming school year ? I have been searching the web for many days trying to find a good preschool for her, and I tell you...it's not fun at all. Every parents wanted to find a good school for their kids, especially preschool since this is the beginning and will be the first experience of the child in a school set up. So, right timing, conducive environment and good curriculum is essential. Selection is not so easy.

Prior to Gabz entering preschool, we decided to put her in playschool to let her interact, socialized with other kids and teachers. Newport Covenant Christian School has this program "Time for Two's", they have play activities, singing time and story time. We thought this would be a great program for her.

Below is the picture of their story time, where kids gather around and listen to stories from the teacher. Parents are required to be present for the first four to five sessions, to help the kids getting used to their surroundings before parents could totally leave them. This would be a great training for kids to be left behind by their parents when they enter proper school.

They basically, convert the gym into a big playground, with lots of toys for kids to play around. There are around 15 kids enrolled in this group and two teachers . I would say the number if quite good.

Gabz, love it here and look forward to the next session. At least now, she has an idea how school would be. She was quite hesitant participating in singing and could hardly sit tight during story time. I guess those are the things she would eventually learn in the process.

Another benefit of this program is, you meet other parents in the area whose kids will be entering preschool as well.

Award Time !

This award has been with me for quite some time now. Thanks to Tetcha of Pensive Thoughts and Eva of Allaboutevamee.


Here are the rules for the recipients:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

Now it's my turn to pass this award to : Goddess, Jade, Kaye ,. I just choose three amazing people for this award. Good luck !

Snow Tubing - FUN..FUN..FUN

After a decade of planning to go Snow Tubing, those plans becomes visible last Saturday 31 January. We went to this magnificent place The Summit at Snoqualmie. They offered a lot of activities during the winter; snow tubing, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and more. The most exciting part is, we went together with our friends who has been dying to go snow tubing for centuries. We have to make reservation ahead of time though since it is more convenient when your group reached 20. Thanks for Eric and Cecile for doing all the hard work!

We started with a heavy breakfast at IHOP since our schedule was 11:am to 1:pm. They scheduled it by group every two hours. Since we are quite a huge group, the probability of being not on time is huge as well. But at least we got 1 1/2 hour to enjoy it !!!

While waiting for the rest of the group to join us, Gabz could not stop herself from rolling over the snow along the path ! She was really looking forward to this. When we got started, some of the kids was very timorous to do it alone since the slope is quite high. Me and my husband was so uncertain if Gabz could do it alone, because there is a probability that she would stand up in the middle of the slope while the tube is going down hill. But then she went inside the tube herself ! then we know that she could do it ! As soon as she hits the bottom, she was screaming to her Dad..."Daddy...more..more..more !" That's my girl !!!

Of course a pose from here and there will not be missed by her Dad ! As always, taking pictures will remain the main event in every activity !

Gabz taking a pose with her BFF's (twins) Danica and Jericha. These three are inseparable, they always love to play together, and not have seen them fight at all. These twins are adorable and very behave.

These are all the ladies in the group. These are my BFF's here in Seattle. These gals love to party till the crack of dawn ! Love them !!!

These are the guys with Joanna ! She is the only unattached lady in the group, and the guys love to teased her. But She is a good sport .

Of course, I could not get hold of myself by just watching these guys having fun of their life. I have to try it myself ! My husband was keep on saying ; "No Mommy !, no Mommy!" But how could I just watched ? I have been waiting for this ! I have to try it , even once. My husband give in at the end. Going down the slope is exhilarating ! Wow, just love it...how I wish I could do it over and over, but does not want to push my luck so hard. At least I have experienced it no matter if it is only once.

In a nutshell, everybody have FUN...FUN..FUN ! One we would not forget ! Looking forward to the next exciting activities !!!